Anaheim Supercross Pre-Party Grows as Matrix & Scorpion Step Up

Fullerton, CA - The list of celebrities and sponsors for the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season pre-party is getting bigger as the industry is getting together to host a party for fans and friends. In addition to VIP racing greats like Broc Glover, Danny LaPorte and David Bailey coming, Eddie Cole has confirmed Matrix Concepts, makers of personalized racing stands, is all-in for the festivities. The party will take place Thursday, January 6th at 6:00 p.m. and run until about 10:30 p.m. at the OC Sports Grill across the street from Anaheim Stadium.

"Since we are supporting many of the bikes in the pro pits, it seemed only natural we should be supporting the pre-party," explained Eddie Cole. "Matrix is looking forward to the 2011 season and this is a great way to kick things off!"

Scorpion Sports Inc. is also joining in on the fun. "Its time to go racing," exclaimed Scorpion's National Sales Manager Jon Eide. "Although many people think of us a streetbike company, we like to do it in the dirt as well. We have had great success with the VX-24 off-road helmet and we have an all new dirt helmet coming this season so it is time to celebrate."

The highlight of the evening will be a special screening of Pipeline Digital Media's "The Carlsbad USGP:1980" film which has been lauded as one of the best motorcycle documentaries ever produced. "The Carlsbad USGP:1980" movie will begin at 8:00 p.m. "It will be great to see everyone," said Todd Huffman, Producer at Pipeline Digital Media. "And we can give those fans who missed the premiere parties a chance to see the Carlsbad USGP film."

The party will be open to the first 250 guests when the event begins and everyone must have a wristband. If sponsors do not use all of their wristbands, more of the public will be allowed in. Everyone in attendance will get a free commemorative Carlsbad USGP 1980 replica program, and DVD's will be available for sale. Attendees will be responsible for their own food and beverage.

The OC Sports Grill is located at 450 N. State College Blvd., Orange, CA 92868You can visit them on the web at: www.ocsportsgrill.com.

Carlsbad USGP Historical Profile:Until that fateful day in June 1980, the FIM 500cc United States Grand Prix at Carlsbad had been dominated by European racers. "The princes of the sport," as ABC Wide World of Sports announcer Jim Lampley called them at the time had reigned supreme in the nine years that the race had been promoted by Gavin Trippe and his partner Bruce Cox.

In fact, Dutchman Gerrit Wolsink won the USGP at Carlsbad an astounding five times himself. The dried clay of Carlsbad's "blue groove" track became known as "The Rock" as it continued to crush America's best riders. In 1977, American Jim Pomeroy made history in Carlsbad by becoming the first American to win a moto at Carlsbad. However a crash in the first turn of the second moto prevented an American from winning the overall and again handing a victory to "The Dentist". It would be another three years before an American would be in contention for the Carlsbad crown.

In the summer of 1980, two men were battling it out for the 500cc World Championship: American "Bad Brad" Lackey and Belgium's Andre Malherbe. As the series headed from Europe to California, most fans were betting on Northern Californian Lackey who had been flying the U.S. flag solo on the GP circuit for eight long years. However on that hot Sunday in June, it was not Lackey or even one of the regulars on the GP circuit that leaped to the front of the first moto. It was not even one of the established Factory American riders ready to make a name for themselves by leading the world's best for a couple laps at least.

Instead of one of the heroes or legends, it was local privateer Marty Moates who grabbed the holeshot. Marty not only led the first moto, he overcame crashes and passed the Euros to win the second moto as well! A virtual unknown he had finally accomplished what no other American rider before him could over the previous decade... win the Carlsbad USGP! And ABC's Wide World of Sports' cameras were rolling all the while.